NASA and Google are collaborating on an AI-powered medical assistant designed to help astronauts diagnose and treat health issues in space, where medical personnel are unavailable, according to Space.com. This initiative, announced on August 8, is part of NASA’s efforts to enhance human spaceflight through the Artemis lunar exploration program.
The Crew Medical Officer Digital Assistant (CMO-DA) serves as a proof-of-concept Clinical Decision Support System, granting astronauts autonomy over their medical care during extended missions.
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Google representatives stated that the AI system, trained on spaceflight literature, utilizes advanced machine learning and natural language processing techniques to provide real-time analysis of crew performance and health. Preliminary findings indicate that the system can accurately diagnose conditions based on reported symptoms.
Doctors are actively collaborating with NASA and Google to test and refine the model.
Deep-space missions, including future journeys to the Moon and Mars, face significant communication delays, with signals taking up to 45 minutes to travel between Earth and Mars, making real-time consultations unfeasible. In such scenarios, quick returns to Earth are not an option.
An onboard AI doctor could fill this crucial gap, and the technology may also benefit remote areas on Earth with limited access to medical professionals.
SOURCE: TVCNEWS
